400/Edelbrock installation mechanic error
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Senior User
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From: Mobile, Alabama
400/Edelbrock installation mechanic error
I had an Edelbrock intake manifold and 1411 4 barrel carb installed on my 1980 F-350 4x4 400 auto, and after my first test drive, I returned home, opened the hood and oil was sprayed all over the engine compartment, particularly in the front. The source of the oil was a blown intake manifold gasket at the front end caused by the mechanic installing the proper PCV crankcase ventilation on the left side, but not properly venting the right side where the stock oil filler had been prior to installing an Edelbrock air cleaner with K&N filter. Believe it or not, the mechanic actually closed the oil fill hole with a Chevrolet non-vented cap. I know what immediate damage improperly venting the engine caused, but could other possible engine damage have occured during my 60 mile test drive up a mountain canyon and back, maximum 8% grade?
Thanks for any advice. I need it...
Thanks for any advice. I need it...
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Whitehorse Yukon
If it were me
I would take the truck back and explain calmly to the mechanic what happened and what you discovered. Freakin out wont get you anywhere. see what he will do for you. There is no way to know if any other seals were affected until you put the pcv system right and repair the leak on the intake.Chances are you will be ok.
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From: Mobile, Alabama
I would take the truck back and explain calmly to the mechanic what happened and what you discovered. Freakin out wont get you anywhere.
Actually, I returned the truck to the mechanic before I started this thread and am not prone to freakin out. I know for certain what damage was done, it's the potential damage that may have also occured that concerns me, and that is something the mechanic may or may not tell me about. So basically what I was asking is what, other than a blown intake manifold gasket I'm already aware of, are prime candidates for potential damage due the an improperly vented engine?
Actually, I returned the truck to the mechanic before I started this thread and am not prone to freakin out. I know for certain what damage was done, it's the potential damage that may have also occured that concerns me, and that is something the mechanic may or may not tell me about. So basically what I was asking is what, other than a blown intake manifold gasket I'm already aware of, are prime candidates for potential damage due the an improperly vented engine?
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From: Whitehorse Yukon
I didnt mean to imply you would freak out, just that i know the pain we all feel when our precious autos have trouble 
. Other areas that my reveal trouble would be the rear main seal and the front timing cover seal, least likely would be the valve cover gaskets. Once the pressure built and it found a place to vent, weakest link so to speak no further pressure would be present. Unless you lost an excessive amount of oil to the extent there wasnt enough to circulate i would not be too worried .
. Other areas that my reveal trouble would be the rear main seal and the front timing cover seal, least likely would be the valve cover gaskets. Once the pressure built and it found a place to vent, weakest link so to speak no further pressure would be present. Unless you lost an excessive amount of oil to the extent there wasnt enough to circulate i would not be too worried .
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From: Mobile, Alabama
Socketman:
The timing cover was completely saturated with oil, but maybe since I recently added a double roller chain and new gasket, the timing cover survived the pressure OK. The rear main seal it what concerns me most. Replacing them on a 400 is a major PITA. Fortunately, I did not lose an excessive anount of oil on my 60 mile test drive.
The timing cover was completely saturated with oil, but maybe since I recently added a double roller chain and new gasket, the timing cover survived the pressure OK. The rear main seal it what concerns me most. Replacing them on a 400 is a major PITA. Fortunately, I did not lose an excessive anount of oil on my 60 mile test drive.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Earth
Actually, if I am thinking of what gasket "blew out" on your intake, you shouldn't have much to worry about at all. Mine just did the same thing when I replaced it, only it was leaking in the front and back of the intake. Sometimes those seals just don't seal up all that great. So I went with another intake gasket and used the cork gasket front and rear and used more RTV this time. Now I don't have anymore leaks.
PCV should go on the driver's side valve cover, and a breather should go on the passenger side valve cover. Both of my 400's have been that way and two previous 351M's.
PCV should go on the driver's side valve cover, and a breather should go on the passenger side valve cover. Both of my 400's have been that way and two previous 351M's.
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From: Mobile, Alabama
PCV should go on the driver's side valve cover, and a breather should go on the passenger side valve cover. Both of my 400's have been that way and two previous 351M's.
On my 1980 F-350 400, the PCV is on the passenger side valve cover and the breather is normally incorporated in the oil fill cap on the drivers side. In stock form, the breather line runs from the oil fill cap to the air cleaner housing where there is a filter on the inside of the housing that the breather line connects to.
I'm hoping that when the pressure built up in the engine from improper venting, that it was ONLY the front portion of the newly installed intake manifold gasket - a Fel Pro as supplied by Edelbrock - that blew and nothing else. Keeping fingers crossed...
On my 1980 F-350 400, the PCV is on the passenger side valve cover and the breather is normally incorporated in the oil fill cap on the drivers side. In stock form, the breather line runs from the oil fill cap to the air cleaner housing where there is a filter on the inside of the housing that the breather line connects to.
I'm hoping that when the pressure built up in the engine from improper venting, that it was ONLY the front portion of the newly installed intake manifold gasket - a Fel Pro as supplied by Edelbrock - that blew and nothing else. Keeping fingers crossed...
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Roseburg, OR
On my '75 400, the PCV valve is inserted in the hole on top of the oil cap (runs to carb base). The passenger side valve cover has a plastic elbow in it, and connects to the air cleaner or a filtered air source.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Delaware
As soon as the intake manifold end seal blew, it relieved the pressure. Those seals are notorious for leaking, if not installed correctly. It probably acted as a relief valve. The rest should be OK.
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Senior User
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From: Mobile, Alabama
Any recommendations as to which valve cover breather - with no tubing to the air filter housing - and oil fill cap is best to use on the 400 with Edelbrock 1411 Carb and Edelbrock air filter housing. The same idiot mechanic - never again - vented the engine by destroying my Edelbrock air cleaner, drilling a hole in the bottom and bolting on a nipple to connect a hose that then goes to what looks like an oil fill cap from an old Ford tractor with a nipple on it. Just what I don't need is having the engine breathe from the valve cover directly into the carb. The stock oil filler cap and breather had two tangs that engage with two slots in the valve cover and the cap is just inserted and turned so I will need an aftermarket filler cap and breather that attaches to the valve cover in the same manner...
Last edited by pknute; Aug 16, 2005 at 10:54 PM.
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From: Whitehorse Yukon
sounds like your havin a real go around with this thing. What the mechanic did was fine as this is the way these aftermarket aircleaners are usually set up. What you can do is get a cap with wire mesh in it to seperate any oil that might be airborne and get up into the carb. The pcv pulls air from this hose and needs a supply of fresh filtered air. Go to the local parts store and ask to see their catlaogue and pick out a cap that looks like it will do what you want. i often scrounge the wrecking yards for the plastic fittings that go into the breather cap to adapt to the hose leading to the air filter. another option is a small spacer betweent he carb and airfilter with a pipe in it, i use the ones from late model chev trucks around the early 90,s. usually i have to trim them a bit around the edges as necessary. hope this helps Here is a link to a pic of one i did for a customer, this is just the intitial trial but you see what i used.
http://img360.imageshack.us/my.php?i...gine0778rn.jpg
Here is the one i made for my engine. use your imagination and hav efun
http://img359.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ne050386gx.jpg
http://img360.imageshack.us/my.php?i...gine0778rn.jpg
Here is the one i made for my engine. use your imagination and hav efun
http://img359.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ne050386gx.jpg
Last edited by Socketman; Aug 17, 2005 at 01:05 AM.
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From: Mobile, Alabama
The pcv routing on my engine is OK. As to the oil filler cap and breather, what I really have in mind is one that has no hoses that simply vents to the atmosphere, not to my carb.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Eastern Pa
The breather doesn't vent to the outside. You need to understand how this works. The vacuum pulls on one side of the crankcase through the engine and to the valve cover breather on the other side of the engine. From the breather on the side that does not have the vacuum attached to it should be a hose that runs up to the air cleaner where it pulls in fresh filtered air. The side without the vacuum is not an outlet for breathing but rather an inlet for fresh air to be pulled all the way through the engine to the other side where the vacuum is coming from. 